News
KYOCERA Wireless Corp. and Brightstar Corp. Extend Distribution Relationship to Include India
NEW DELHI (February 2, 2005) -- Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones and devices, and Brightstar Corp., a leading logistics and supply chain management company for the wireless industry, have added India to the growing number of global markets in which Brightstar distributes wireless phones from Kyocera Wireless. At the Supercomm India trade show in New Delhi the companies announced that, building on a successful long-term relationship, Brightstar will offer Kyocera's full portfolio of CDMA-based wireless phones to India's open market.
The announcement strengthens the position of Kyocera Wireless in India's rapidly growing wireless market. The company has provided its phones to India's four major CDMA carriers: Reliance Infocomm, Tata Teleservices, MTNL and BSNL. In 2003, the company established Kyocera Wireless (India) Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary with approximately 300 employees focused on hardware and software development. In 2004, Kyocera launched the KX440, India's first push-to-talk phone, with Tata Teleservices.
With 22 facilities in 20 countries, Brightstar is one of the wireless industry's leading global value-added service providers. Founded in 1997, the company serves more than 160 network operators and 15,000 resellers, retailers and agents. In 2004, Brightstar continued its steady growth and posted revenues exceeding US$1.75 billion. Today, Brightstar distributes Kyocera wireless phones in seven countries.
"Brightstar has proven itself an invaluable distribution partner as we have grown our sales volumes and the number of markets we serve internationally," said Lee Ittner, vice president of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Wireless Corp. "Our global brand is built around the genius of simplicity, and this new distribution channel to India's open market will make it more simple than ever for retailers in India to carry our compelling product portfolio. It's yet another example of our commitment to India's wireless industry."
Javier Villamizar, vice president of strategy and new business development for Brightstar, said, "We're very excited to enter into such an important market as India. Today, Kyocera has a very strong position in the Indian market. We believe this agreement will provide the platform for mutual success in this region, as well as increased access to Kyocera handsets for consumers."
India's first CDMA wireless networks were launched in May 2003 and their growth has been strong and steady. According to analyst firm BIS Shrapnel, the number of people in India subscribing to CDMA wireless service is expected to grow from 17 million to more than 27 million in 2005, with more than 14.4 million new CDMA phones shipped in the market.
About Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich CDMA wireless devices and accessories for customers worldwide. Kyocera Wireless maintains an operating belief in the genius of simplicity and strives to make the wireless experience as simple and intuitive as humanly possible. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., which acquired QUALCOMM Incorporated's CDMA consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Based in San Diego, the company is ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certified and has won city, state and federal awards for its environmentally friendly manufacturing and recycling practices. For more information, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com.
Kyocera Corporation, the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2004, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$11 billion (JP¥ 1,140,814 million) with net income of approximately US$655 million (JP¥ 68,086 million).
About Brightstar
Brightstar Corp. is a leading distributor and provider of value added supply chain services to the wireless telecom industry, and also designs and manufactures products under licensing agreements with leading manufacturers. Headquartered in Miami, FL, Brightstar has operations in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, the U.S. and Venezuela with its most recent distribution operations located in Australia. The company serves over 160 network operators and 15,000 resellers, retailers and agents around the world and also represents many of the world's leading wireless manufacturers. During the year ending 2004, Brightstar's revenues are expected to exceed approximately $1.75 billion. For more information, visit www.brightstarcorp.com.
© 2005 Kyocera Wireless Corp. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.
Top of page